No return

Refusing duty in Iraq

May 03, 2005

Army Sergeant Kevin Benderman, 40, faces a military trial for refusing to return to Iraq for a second tour of duty. The trial is scheduled for May 11 at an army base in Georgia. A Tennessean of Southern Baptist background, Bendermanjoined the army in 1987, was honorably discharged in ’91 and reenlisted in 2000. He has a distinguished military record, including a dozen medals. He has applied to be classified as a conscientious objector. The Century asked him about his change of mind.